Former teacher from Lansing's sister city talks at area schools
By Hugh Leach
Lansing State Journal
Thomas Kissiedu Okae came to the Lansing area to learn.
The Thomas Kissiedu Okae file |
Okae, who lives in Lansing's sister city of Akuapem in the West African country of Ghana, is making his first visit to the United States.
In addition to talking about his native country to schools and other groups, Okae stresses such values as voter responsibility, patriotism, respect and cooperation.
"In the last Ghana public election the voter attendance was 90 percent," Okae said. "I try to emphasize the importance of turning out in numbers in the pending elections. We learn from you and expect America to be a pacesetter. We expect you to do better than 90 percent."
During visits to Holt elementary schools Friday, Okae used wood carvings made in Ghana and folk stories from his country to emphasize the importance of honesty, unity and other core values.
"Their Democratic values and ours are identical," said Valerie Smith, Holt director of instructional services. "Hearing about them through his stories and carvings helps strengthen the bond between nations and brings the lessons home to the children in new ways."
Okae, a former teacher, was a hit with the students who peppered him with questions about Ghana following his talk.
"I loved the storytelling," said Wilcox Elementary School fifth-grader Dylan Bronstein. "That was big to me."
Wilcox fifth-grader Britta Anderson said she enjoyed the presentation and was particularly impressed with his use of wood carvings and pictures to illustrate his points.
"I thought he was pretty cool," said Robert Chrisman, also a fifth-grader. "I really like Mr. Okae."
The elementary students aren't the only ones who succumbed to Okae's natural charm.
"Everybody he's met loves him," said Barbara Roberts Mason, Sister Cities Commission chairwoman. "Even my dog loves him."
During the seven weeks he has been in the Lansing Area, Okae has spoken at elementary schools, colleges and adult groups. He attended the State Democratic Party Convention where he made contacts he hopes will be beneficial later on.
He has also delivered sermons at three churches and participated in a Bible study group.
Later this week, he will return to Ghana to help prepare for a visit by a delegation of Lansing-area people in November.
He will take several ideas back with him, including ways to bring about prompt payment of taxes and fees, reduce littering, preserve the ecology and improve classrooms.
"Classrooms here are very attractive and conducive for learning," he said. "We have good classrooms, but only a few are as attractive as those I have seen here."
In Ghana, he said, destruction of forests and other habitats have driven out or destroyed most animal life.
He plans to contact a friend from Zambia who is an assistant professor of forestry at Michigan State University this week to explore ways of preserving existing forests and creating new ones.
Contact Hugh Leach at 377-1119 or hleach@lsj.com.
